Government appoints Ashwani Lohani as New Chairman of Railway Board

The Union Government has appointed Ashwani Lohani as the new Chairman of the Railway Board (Ministry of Railways). Prior to this appointment, he was serving as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Air India.

His appointment comes after A.K. Mital resigned from post, owing moral responsibility of Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express derailment in Uttar Pradesh due to several lapses in track maintenance work.

About Ashwani Lohani

Mr. Lohani is an Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME) cadre. Earlier he had served as DRM, Delhi Division; Chief Administrative Officer, Rail Alternate Fuel and Director, National Rail Museum. He holds the Guinness Record for successfully running the ‘Fairy Queen Express’, the world’s oldest working steam locomotive.

He holds four engineering degrees, has authored two books (one on steam engines and the other on management). He is credited with the turnaround of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) and the India Tourism Development Corporation.

Railway Board

It is the apex body of the Indian Railways. It reports to the Parliament through the Ministry of Railways headed by the Union Railway Minister. The Chairman of the Board with the status of a Secretary to Government in the Ministry of Railways is responsible for decisions on technical and policy matters of Indian Railways.